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DETROIT – The number of hepatitis C patients suffering from advanced
liver damage may be grossly underestimated and underdiagnosed, according
to a study led by researchers at Henry Ford Health System and the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The findings were the result of a study of nearly 10,000 patients
suffering from hepatitis C, and could have a significant effect on
patient care and healthcare policy regarding the chronic disease.

“Knowledge of the prevalence of liver damage will help decision
making regarding screening for the effects of hepatitis C, when to start
anti-viral therapy, and the need for follow-up counseling,” says Stuart
Gordon, M.D., lead researcher and Director of Hepatology at Henry Ford
Hospital.

DETROIT – The number of hepatitis C patients suffering from advanced liver damage may be grossly underestimated and underdiagnosed, according to a study led by researchers at Henry Ford Health System and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The findings were the result of a study of nearly 10,000 patients suffering from hepatitis C, and could have a significant effect on patient care and healthcare policy regarding the chronic disease.

“Knowledge of the prevalence of liver damage will help decision making regarding screening for the effects of hepatitis C, when to start anti-viral therapy, and the need for follow-up counseling,” says Stuart Gordon, M.D., lead researcher and Director of Hepatology at Henry Ford Hospital.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) released new estimates on the acute and chronic cases of
hepatitis A, B and C:

Hepatitis A (HAV):

2013:Estimated acute cases and deaths from hepatitis A

Acute: 3,500–range: 2,500 to 3,900

Deaths: 80 (underlying contributing cause of death in most recent year available (2013))

Hepatitis B (HBV):

2013:Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis B

Acute: 19,800—range: 11,300 to 48,500

Chronic: 700,000 to 1.4 million

Deaths: 1,873

Hepatitis C (HCV):

2013:Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis C

Acute: 29,700—range: 23,500 to 101,400

Chronic: 2.7 to 3.9 million

Deaths: 19,368*

NOTE: Current information
indicates these represent a fraction of deaths attributable in whole or
in part to chronic hepatitis C.”

Editorial Comments: The good news
is that vaccination against hepatitis A and B and education efforts
are working to keep new infections, chronic infections and deaths
consistent with previous years. Hepatitis A and B are in line with what
have been previously reported and rates of new infections have leveled
off. I personally believe that hepatitis B may be under reported
especially in some larger populations of immigrants who may be infected
with hepatitis B. Furthermore, we may not know the extent of chronic
hepatitis B in the undocumented immigrant population.

HCV however, seems be getting worse. The range of
acute HCV population is much likely higher since we really don’t have
an effective surveillance system in our country. We have had large
outbreaks of acute HCV in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Indiana
and elsewhere. I also believe the number of people with chronic
hepatitis C is much higher and the deaths caused by hepatitis C is
certainly higher. The CDC has a *(see note) that
captures the deaths which are most likely under reported. Many times a
death reported on a death certificate is listed as another cause when
HCV or cirrhosis, liver cancer or a consequence of HCV may be listed
instead.

On a sad note, the age group that had the highest
rate of death was the 55 to 64 year old group with 51% of the total
number of deaths—this is very young age for such a high death rate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new estimates on the acute and chronic cases of hepatitis A, B and C:

Hepatitis A (HAV):

2013:Estimated acute cases and deaths from hepatitis A

Acute: 3,500–range: 2,500 to 3,900

Deaths: 80 (underlying contributing cause of death in most recent year available (2013))

Hepatitis B (HBV):

2013:Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis B

Acute: 19,800—range: 11,300 to 48,500

Chronic: 700,000 to 1.4 million

Deaths: 1,873

Hepatitis C (HCV):

2013:Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis C

Acute: 29,700—range: 23,500 to 101,400

Chronic: 2.7 to 3.9 million

Deaths: 19,368*

NOTE: Current information indicates these represent a fraction of deaths attributable in whole or in part to chronic hepatitis C.”

Editorial Comments: The good news is that vaccination against hepatitis A and B and education efforts are working to keep new infections, chronic infections and deaths consistent with previous years. Hepatitis A and B are in line with what have been previously reported and rates of new infections have leveled off. I personally believe that hepatitis B may be under reported especially in some larger populations of immigrants who may be infected with hepatitis B. Furthermore, we may not know the extent of chronic hepatitis B in the undocumented immigrant population.

HCV however, seems be getting worse. The range of acute HCV population is much likely higher since we really don’t have an effective surveillance system in our country. We have had large outbreaks of acute HCV in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Indiana and elsewhere. I also believe the number of people with chronic hepatitis C is much higher and the deaths caused by hepatitis C is certainly higher. The CDC has a *(see note) that captures the deaths which are most likely under reported. Many times a death reported on a death certificate is listed as another cause when HCV or cirrhosis, liver cancer or a consequence of HCV may be listed instead.

On a sad note, the age group that had the highest rate of death was the 55 to 64 year old group with 51% of the total number of deaths—this is very young age for such a high death rate.

May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day

Press Release

Posted:

05/18/2015 02:29:06 PM EDT

BURLINGTON — May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day. The Health
Department reminds Vermonters at risk to get tested for Hepatitis C, a
form of viral hepatitis that is spread through blood to blood contact.

Based on national estimates, as many as 18,000 Vermont residents have
chronic Hepatitis C, also known as Hep C. About three-quarters of them
are unaware of their infection, because it can be years or decades
before symptoms develop.

There are two groups of people who are of particular concern when it
comes to Hep C. National data indicates that a significant number of
baby boomers (people born between 1945 through 1965) have the virus and
are unaware of it. People in this age group may have been exposed
through blood transfusions or other blood products received before
widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992.

Others may have become infected from sharing injection drug equipment in the past.

The sharing of drug syringes is associated with most new cases of Hep C
infection. It is such an efficient route of transmission that injection
drug users are at the highest risk of acquiring the virus today.

“Evidence of this behavior-to-virus connection is playing out in rural
Indiana in an HIV and Hep C outbreak that’s been in the news of late,”
says Patsy Kelso, state epidemiologist for infectious disease.

According to the CDC, as of April 21, 135 people were diagnosed with HIV in an Indiana community of 4,200 people.

Of these, 114 cases were found to be co-infected with Hep C. Injection
drug using behavior was reported by 108 of the cases, with four
reporting no injection drug use, and another 23 people not yet
interviewed.

“Vermonters who inject drugs can be hard to reach with programs designed
to help keep them healthy,” said Kelso. “There is a high level of
stigma directed toward them.”

Yet, according to the Health Department, Vermont has some resources in
place that might help to decrease the potential for an outbreak of the
magnitude that it is occurring in Indiana.

“The Health Department funds four syringe exchange programs throughout
the state intended to help people stop sharing injection equipment — the
route of transmission for Hep C and HIV,” said Kelso. Syringe exchange
programs had to be set up on an emergency provisional basis in Indiana.
“We provide support for Hep C and HIV testing that is specifically
designed to be accessed by injection drug users at syringe exchanges and
other support programs in place to help this population,” said Kelso.

For more information about Hepatitis C go to healthvermont.gov or visit your local Health Department district office.

May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day

Press Release

Posted: 05/18/2015 02:29:06 PM EDT

BURLINGTON — May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day. The Health Department reminds Vermonters at risk to get tested for Hepatitis C, a form of viral hepatitis that is spread through blood to blood contact.

Based on national estimates, as many as 18,000 Vermont residents have chronic Hepatitis C, also known as Hep C. About three-quarters of them are unaware of their infection, because it can be years or decades before symptoms develop.

There are two groups of people who are of particular concern when it comes to Hep C. National data indicates that a significant number of baby boomers (people born between 1945 through 1965) have the virus and are unaware of it. People in this age group may have been exposed through blood transfusions or other blood products received before widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992.

Others may have become infected from sharing injection drug equipment in the past. The sharing of drug syringes is associated with most new cases of Hep C infection. It is such an efficient route of transmission that injection drug users are at the highest risk of acquiring the virus today.

“Evidence of this behavior-to-virus connection is playing out in rural Indiana in an HIV and Hep C outbreak that’s been in the news of late,” says Patsy Kelso, state epidemiologist for infectious disease. According to the CDC, as of April 21, 135 people were diagnosed with HIV in an Indiana community of 4,200 people.

Of these, 114 cases were found to be co-infected with Hep C. Injection drug using behavior was reported by 108 of the cases, with four reporting no injection drug use, and another 23 people not yet interviewed. “Vermonters who inject drugs can be hard to reach with programs designed to help keep them healthy,” said Kelso. “There is a high level of stigma directed toward them.”

Yet, according to the Health Department, Vermont has some resources in place that might help to decrease the potential for an outbreak of the magnitude that it is occurring in Indiana.

“The Health Department funds four syringe exchange programs throughout the state intended to help people stop sharing injection equipment — the route of transmission for Hep C and HIV,” said Kelso. Syringe exchange programs had to be set up on an emergency provisional basis in Indiana. “We provide support for Hep C and HIV testing that is specifically designed to be accessed by injection drug users at syringe exchanges and other support programs in place to help this population,” said Kelso.

For more information about Hepatitis C go to healthvermont.gov or visit your local Health Department district office.

LAHORE – Every 10th person in the country is suffering from one type of
hepatitis or the other and the viral infection varies in severity from a
self-limited condition with total recovery to a life-threatening or
lifelong disease.

Over 20 million people in Pakistan are infected
with hepatitis B and C virus including around 15 million with C and
five million with B and the disease is swelling at an alarming rate,
medical experts say.

“Owing to lack of preventive measures and treatment facilities, hepatitis prevalence in Pakistan is the highest on the globe.

LAHORE – Every 10th person in the country is suffering from one type of hepatitis or the other and the viral infection varies in severity from a self-limited condition with total recovery to a life-threatening or lifelong disease.

Over 20 million people in Pakistan are infected with hepatitis B and C virus including around 15 million with C and five million with B and the disease is swelling at an alarming rate, medical experts say.

“Owing to lack of preventive measures and treatment facilities, hepatitis prevalence in Pakistan is the highest on the globe.

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